Camelina’s Role as Biodiesel Feedstock Expands

John Davis

While camelina has really taken root as a feedstock in the Western United States (see my post from July 22, 2008), it’s starting to make some inroads back east.

This radio story from the USDA says that some farmers in Pennsylvania started growing camelina last fall and are expanding their efforts this year:

Joel Hunter is a Penn State University Cooperative Extension Educator. “This year we tried it in kind of a big way about, somewhere between 300 and 400 acres.”

The story goes on to say that the goal is to sell the camelina oil to the Lake Erie Biofuels plant in Erie, PA.

“Camelina seed has about 40 percent oil. So we’re looking at something like two barrels of oil per acre.”

USDA says that the Penn State Cooperative Extension bought 2,000 pounds of camelina seed for farmers to grow, while really going out on a limb and might not even be able to get grants to cover the school’s costs. But Hunter thinks it is worth it if it gets the camelina effort off the ground in that area.

Biodiesel

Vikings Helping Turn Minnesota Green

John Davis

I’m not talking about those guys with the funny horns on the side of their football helmets. A group of Swedes have traveled to Minnesota to give residents there some ideas about how biomass can heat a home.

This story from Biomass Magazine says a delegation from the city of Växjö, Sweden… dubbed the Greenest City in Europe… is visiting Duluth, Minn., sharing their ideas:

In 1996 Växjö, a city in southern Sweden, set goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per capita by 50 percent in 2010 and by 70 percent in 2025. So far, the city has reduced its emissions by 35 percent, mainly due to the expansion of its heating system, which uses wood waste biomass from sawmills for fuel.

“It has been a good thing for the families, the municipality, and the economy to use the heat from this biomass,” said Henrik Nilsson, public relations manager for the city of Växjö. “It is the cheapest way to heat your house and you don’t have to be an eco-friend. If you just want to save money, you will use this way of heating and then, of course, you will be an environmental hero, as well, and that is just a bonus.”

Duluth and Växjö have been sister cities for 20 years, with this annual visit the first to focus on economics and the environment.

biomass

USDA, DOE Hand Out Biomass Grants

John Davis

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy announced $10 million worth of grants for 10 places of higher education to help accelerate the use of biomass into cellulosic biofuels.

This USDA release has details:

“USDA is committed to fostering a sustainable domestic biofuels industry at home in rural America,” [Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Gale Buchanan] said. “These grants will broaden the sources of energy from many crops as well as improve the efficiency and options among renewable fuels.”

“Cellulosic biofuels offer one of the best near- to mid-term alternatives we have, on the energy production side, to reduce reliance and imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions, while continuing to meet the nation’s transportation energy needs,” [Energy Department (DOE) Under Secretary for Science Raymond Orbach] said. “Developing cost-effective means of producing cellulosic biofuels on a national scale poses major scientific challenges-these grants will help in developing the type of transformational breakthroughs needed in basic science to make this happen.”

Here’s a list of those schools picking up the research grants:

* Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research (Ithaca, NY), $882,000
* Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO), $1,500,000
* University of Georgia (Athens, GA), $1,295,000
* University of Georgia(Athens, GA), $1,200,000
* University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA), $1,200,000
* Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI), $540,000
* Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA), $587,191
* Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN), $1,200,000
* Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR), $1,200,000
* Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR), $1,200,000

Biodiesel, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Ford Announces Model Year 2009 FFVs

FordFord Motor Company has recently announced that it will add four new flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) models to their line in 2009. These actions will assist in meeting the company’s commitment to doubling FFV production by 2010 and producing 50% of their total production as FFVs by 2012.

“We are excited to see Ford moving forward with their commitment to adding more FFVs to their line-up,” said Executive Director of the NEVC Phil Lampert. “The auto industry is experiencing significant shifts in product demand to high mileage vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles which do not solely operate on petroleum. We believe that the use of E85 and other high level blends of ethanol in these FFVs can have a significant impact to reducing demand for imported petroleum.”

Ford will be offering the following FFVs in 2009:

Ford:
5.4L F-150
4.6L Crown Victoria (for fleets only)
4.6L and 5.4L Econoline Van
5.4L Expedition

Mercury:
4.6L Grand marquis

Lincoln:
5.4L Lincoln Navigator

For a listing of all flexible fuel vehicle models by year and manufacturer, to go www.E85Fuel.com.

E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

NEVC Applauds Bipartisan Efforts to Advance Alternative Fuel Infrastructure

NEVCThe National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) recently reported their endorsement of the legislative proposal introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and John Shimkus (R-IL) which would increase the federal income tax credit that assists to offset the cost of alternative fuel infrastructure. The legislation introduced on July 31, 2008, which may be found by clicking here, would increase the existing federal income tax credit from $30,000 or 30% of the total cost of improvements to $100,000 or 50% of the total cost of needed alternative fuel equipment and dispensing improvements.

“Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin and Congressman Shimkus have consistently demonstrated their leadership in advancing the use of both ethanol and biodiesel. The NEVC would like to express our sincere appreciation for this recent action,” stated Executive Director of the NEVC Phil Lampert. “Our automaker members have pledged to produce 50 percent of their total vehicle production as flexible fuel by 2012 if the infrastructure is available to support such vehicles. Even though we now have 1,650 E85 fueling locations, this still represents less than 1% of the total gasoline fueling stations. We are convinced that if this proposal were adopted, the nation would have no less than 10,000 E85 fueling sites in a short period of time.”

The E85 and Biodiesel Access Act (H.R. 6734) is supported by the NEVC, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Association of Convenience Stores and the National Biodiesel Board.

A copy of the Press Statement issued by Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin may be found at http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/press/2008/press_080108_renewables.htm. A Press Statement issued by Congressman Shimkus may be found by clicking here.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Facilities, Government, News

All-in-One Algae Biodiesel Plant Coming to Missouri

John Davis

West-Central Missouri is about to become home to an algae-biodeisel refinery… the first of its kind in this nation.

This story from the Marshall (MO) Democrat-News says commissioners of Saline County, Missouri have signed a resolution and intend to issue $141 million in bonds to help Green Star Products Inc.’s EcoAlgae USA build a commercial algae production facility in conjunction with an integrated biorefinery complex:

The EcoAlgae project will involve algae production at the heart of this biorefinery complex because its high production biomass feedstock only requires sunlight, CO2 and brackish or saltwater.

“(This will be) the first facility of its type in the nation,” said Marshall-Saline Development Corporation Executive Director Roy Hunter, the man who spearheaded this project. “It’s going to bring national recognition to Saline County as a renewable fuels region.”

“(This) should make us a home base for research and advanced renewable fuels in the future.”

“The biorefinery will be the first of its kind and will incorporate all the technologies to produce oil, cattle feed, electricity, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and steam,” the company said in a press release.

EcoAlgae must come up with an economic development plan, as well as getting the proper permits and complying with state laws before the bonds will be issued. That process, including some public comment time, could take 60 to 90 days.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel, Wind Lose in Tiff over Energy Policy

John Davis

The fight between Democrats and Republicans in Washington, DC has hurt the biodiesel and wind energy programs in this country.

The Des Moines (IA) Register reports that Congress, deadlocked and heading for its August break, failed to renew tax credits for wind power and biodiesel that are due to expire at the end of the year:

Republicans have successfully blocked the tax package and other legislation from getting through the Senate because of the Democratic leadership’s restrictions on what GOP energy proposals can be put to a vote.

Greg Wetstone of the American Wind Energy Association said today that the delay in acting on the tax credits is creating uncertainty among investors in his industry.
However, he said he still he expects Congress pass the extensions before the end of the year.

“This is an issue that is popular on both the Democratic and Republican side of the aisle. Sadly, it’s been a very difficult climate to legislate in,” he said.

The biodiesel industry is heavily dependent on a $1-a-gallon tax credit that is at stake in the bill. The primary feedstock for biodiesel is soybean oil, and prices for that have been so high recently that biodiesel producers have been struggling to stay in operation even with the subsidy.

The August break is a chance for lawmakers to go back home and hear from their bosses… the people who elected them in the first place. Maybe its time they got an earful from all of you for them to get their heads together and get these important tax credits passed… before they run out at the end of the year.

Biodiesel, Legislation, Wind

CNN’s Biodiesel-Fueled Trip Hits Hoover Dam

John Davis

CNN’s trip across the country (as we first reported this past Monday) in a 1978 International Scout running on biodiesel has made it to Hoover Dam, (with acknowledgments to Chevy Chase’s “Vegas Vacation”) where they shot some dam video, filed some dam reports, and did some dam blogging!!! (Where can I get some dam bait?).

Seriously, though, CNN.com producer Cody McCloy and web developer Brian Hardy are out to prove during the two-week, cross-country trip that started earlier this week how viable biodiesel is as a fuel for a road trip of this magnitude. Here’s one of their latest entries:

[A]s we attempt to drive from California to Georgia on biodiesel fuel, our 1978 Scout is thirsty, and Haycock Petroleum came through for us. Haycock is a wholesaler to area Sinclair stations, which in turn sell B5 to retail consumers. Although we aren’t a retailer, Haycock let us fill up the Scout and a fuel can with their higher-blend fuel. Maybe this will get us to Grand Canyon.

The duo is also testing other green energy measures, such as solar panels to power their computers and video gear. You can follow their progress by clicking on the CNN interactive map of the trip here.

Biodiesel

Ethanol Reality Versus Fantasy

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen called on representatives of Florida’s growing biofuels industry to join him and the rest of the industry nationwide in setting the record straight on ethanol and other alternative fuels.

Florida Farm to Fuel Ed SchaferAt the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit on Thursday, Dinneen told the group that opponents of ethanol have created a “fantasy world that rivals anything Walt Disney could have created.”

“The reality is, the US ethanol industry is producing both fuel and food,” Dinneen said. He went through all of the attacks and misconceptions about ethanol that have been perpetuated by the media.

“I think the group that is assembled here reflects the fact that American voters understand the reality, but only if we are all doing our jobs in telling our public policy makers to continue the investment in domestic and renewable fuels,” Dinneen continued. “There is no good ethanol and bad ethanol – it’s all better than petroleum.”

“My plea to you today is to work with us to move forward,” Dinneen concluded. “I want to hear ads in the state of Florida that we should start our engines everyday with 100 percent, all natural Florida ethanol.”

The Summit also heard from Brian Dean, U.S. Executive Director for the Interamerican Ethanol Commission and Gordon Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

Ethanol, News, RFA

Ag Secretary Addresses Florida Farm to Fuel Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Florida Farm to Fuel Ed SchaferU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer traveled to Florida to address the third annual Florida Farm to Fuel Summit in Orlando.

“This is the theme park capitol of the world, it is a city of dreams and the power of imagination,” Schafer told the group. “As we sit here in the land of imagination and dreams, it’s up to all of us to meet the needs of the future through renewable fuels and we can change from wild imagination to realizable dreams.”

“Biofuels are an important part of the solution to our nation’s energy challenges and they are an important part of the economic future of rural America as well,” Schafer said. “That means that agriculture is going to be right in the middle of the game.”

“Here in Florida, the sheer variety of agriculture really make you a state that is a great laboratory for the future,” he added. “When breakthroughs come, I’m really counting on Florida to lead the way.”

He commended Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and the state legislature for the state’s efforts to stimulate innovation with the Farm to Fuel program.

Listen to Secretary Schafer’s remarks here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/florida-fuel/f2f-08-schafer.mp3]

Audio, conferences, Ethanol, Farming, Government, News